I Don't Take Selfies

I don't take selfies.

Society has told me that if I do,

I'm vain.

I'm self-centered.

I'm an attention-seeker.

So, I don't take selfies.

I don't want to be seen as 'perfect',

Because that is a heavy burden to bear.

I don't have perfect skin,

My hair is not always shining and perfect,

I'm not always in a perfect mood,

I'm not always a perfect friend.

Then I think to myself:

"Why should I trick people into thinking I'm perfect

By taking 'perfect' pictures of myself?"

So, I don't take selfies.

I don't want my self-worth to be based on

The number of "likes" I get.

I don't want to feel less worthy

When people don't like my picture.

So, I don't take selfies.

I tend to imitate my friends.

The way they talk, the way they act,

The way they pose for pictures.

But what if I didn't do that?

What if I started talking and acting and posing like ME?

What if I started using my own catchphrases,

instead of using my friends'?

What if I started speaking kinder words,

instead of speaking sarcastically and hurting peoples' feelings?

What if I started complimenting others,

instead of tearing them down?

That's why I don't take selfies.

I know what I think when I see peoples' selfies.

I look for the imperfections they are trying so desperately to hide.

I judge them for what they choose to wear.

I think of reasons for why I'm better than them because I don't take selfies.

But maybe that's wrong.

Maybe I'm just scared.

Scared of rejection,

Scared of people having those same thoughts about be,

Scared of being "normal"

When I try so hard to be unique.

Maybe I'm starting to realize that selfies don't have to be for others.

That selfies can be a way to express myself.

That they can be a tool for documenting my time on Earth

For looking back on what I've done

And how I've gotten to where I am now.

Maybe I still shouldn't use fancy filters or angles,

But.

Maybe I should start taking selfies.